The Jacksonville Rotary Club is undertaking a tree-planting campaign that aims to put the Elm back into the city’s historical nickname of Elm City.

According to Rotarian Mike Flynn, “For years, Jacksonville was widely known as the Elm City because of our beautiful tree-lined streets and wooded parks. Over time, Jacksonville has lost many of its trees due to Dutch elm disease and a lack of an organized replanting program. As a result, large gaps now appear in our tree canopy on many of our streets and parks. The Jacksonville Rotary Club is seeking donations from the community to help restore our city’s leafy past and make Jacksonville a green, eco-friendly city once again.”

Jacksonville Rotary President Ginny Fanning said, “Rotarians around the globe work diligently to improve the lives of others and to protect the environment. Rotary International is challenging all Rotary Clubs worldwide to adopt green, sustainable projects. Our Rotary International President Ian Riseley has encouraged every club to plant trees in their community. The Jacksonville Rotary Club is meeting this challenge by initiating a city-wide tree planting campaign.”

Flynn said, “The public is invited to donate funding to pay for a tree or trees. Initially, Rotary is planting trees between the sidewalk and street, along West State Street in the heart of the historic district. Once this initial phase on West State (from Church Street to Duncan Park) is complete, the Rotary Tree Project will be expanded to include adjacent streets and neighborhoods. This expanded area will be bounded roughly by Lafayette, College, Church and Webster. Ultimately, trees will be planted throughout Jacksonville.”

Elm trees are not the only variety of tree available. The Jacksonville Rotary Tree Project is planting high-quality, hardwood trees including new varieties of elms, oaks and hard maples. Rotarian volunteers plan to plant the trees in September, October, and November of 2018.

Flynn said, “The cost of each tree is $250. All donations are tax-deductible through the Jacksonville Rotary Foundation, and 100% of the money donated will stay in Jacksonville.” Persons interested in donating in support of The Jacksonville Rotary Tree Project can do so through the Rotary website at jacksonvillerotary.org/rotary-trees, or by mailing a check to:

Jacksonville Rotary Foundation
c/o Chet Wynn
31 Book Lane
Jacksonville 62650

Anyone with questions about the program can contact Flynn at (217) 602-0327.

Flynn, quoting a famous Chinese proverb, said, “The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second best time is now.”